Recent discussions about The struggling Oline got me thinking about recruiting. I noticed that we only have two OL recruits in the 18 class so far, and it got me thinking about possible in state solutions. There are a few local prospects that the staff should really take a look at, and it’d be interesting for some fans to get to know these guys, because they could potentially be targets.
1. Jaylen Turner, Center, Arsenal Tech, 6’5” 293- I like Turner a lot, and he can be the future replacement for LittleJohn. I think that LittleJohn has really struggled at Center obviously, and a move to guard might be in his future. Not saying Turner comes in right away and starts, but he’s got plenty of potential. When you watch him on film he adds power, quickness, and comes from a run blocking scheme. At 6’5”, he also brings enough versatility to play on the edge, but he plays with enough flexibility to be a Center or a Guard. He’s also a track athlete, so if you look at a picture of him, he actually looks lean at 293. He could actually bulk up to 305-310 next season, because he has a frame that can add additional weight. we did offer him actually, and he chose ball state, so hopefully the coaches stay on him. We do not need to lose recruits to ball state. Here’s a link to his rivals profile which has links to his hudle page: https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2018/jaylen-turner-182131
2. Ty McCaskill, Tackle, Penn, 6’5” 300
- He’s a guy who you wouldn’t think would move well, but he actually has some decent movement skills in pass protection. Looks smooth on run plays and can get to the second level. Obviously has the size to be an impact player, but what is even more impressive is that he’s flexible as well. Just like Turner, his combination of length and flexibility means that he can play inside or outside, but I actually like him more so at guard to start out his career. I think that he may be a step slow at tackle, but he could really help us at guard. He comes from another run heavy offense, and he can really help our rushing attack down the line. He reminds me of a Jacob Bailey, but with better size coming out of high school. He’s got some huddle film, but here’s a link to some pass pro at a big man camp:
As you can see, he can get leverage, has pretty good feet, and his huddle game film confirms that for me. His only offer is Illinois state, and I think that he’s an under the radar guy who can help us.
3. Luke Martin, Fishers, Guard, 6’4” 300
-This guy reminds me of Dan Feeney on tape. He’s got good mobility, he can pull, he has aggression. I liked that he fights to get reach blocks on outside stretch plays, and has the versatility to pull on power plays. He doesn’t just rely on pure strength, but actually has an understanding of the scheme on many of the plays. The combination of his size, aggression and IQ are what reminds me of a Feeney, and he’s another under the radar guy. He is another guy with good leverage and lower body explosiveness. At 6’4” he can play tackle in case of emergency, but I like him at guard at that size. He is committed to ball state as well, but has a Cincinnati offer. Here’s a link to his huddle tape: http://www.hudl.com/profile/3943232/luke-martin
In closing, I know that it is unpopular to recruit these caliber of players. One is a three star, and two are unranked. They’re also all in state kids. But the tape tells me another story than their rankings, and they bring a toughness and athletic ability that can help the team at its weakest position. We also can’t lose legitimate talent like Jaylen Turner to Ball State. That is embarrassing in recruiting. A long time ago it was unpopular when we took Justin Frye out of Elwood when he was only a two star and Ball State commit, but that turned out well. I think that the state gets a bad rap, and yes, Indiana might not be where you want to recruit skill position guys, but I think that there are some under the radar lineman in this state, with the size and ability to play in the Big Ten. These aren’t running backs, but big corn fed boys that you need in the Big Ten. When you combine that with their flexibility and solid pass blocking, I think that they can be diamonds in the rough that the staff should consider, and people will have to look past their ratings.
1. Jaylen Turner, Center, Arsenal Tech, 6’5” 293- I like Turner a lot, and he can be the future replacement for LittleJohn. I think that LittleJohn has really struggled at Center obviously, and a move to guard might be in his future. Not saying Turner comes in right away and starts, but he’s got plenty of potential. When you watch him on film he adds power, quickness, and comes from a run blocking scheme. At 6’5”, he also brings enough versatility to play on the edge, but he plays with enough flexibility to be a Center or a Guard. He’s also a track athlete, so if you look at a picture of him, he actually looks lean at 293. He could actually bulk up to 305-310 next season, because he has a frame that can add additional weight. we did offer him actually, and he chose ball state, so hopefully the coaches stay on him. We do not need to lose recruits to ball state. Here’s a link to his rivals profile which has links to his hudle page: https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2018/jaylen-turner-182131
2. Ty McCaskill, Tackle, Penn, 6’5” 300
- He’s a guy who you wouldn’t think would move well, but he actually has some decent movement skills in pass protection. Looks smooth on run plays and can get to the second level. Obviously has the size to be an impact player, but what is even more impressive is that he’s flexible as well. Just like Turner, his combination of length and flexibility means that he can play inside or outside, but I actually like him more so at guard to start out his career. I think that he may be a step slow at tackle, but he could really help us at guard. He comes from another run heavy offense, and he can really help our rushing attack down the line. He reminds me of a Jacob Bailey, but with better size coming out of high school. He’s got some huddle film, but here’s a link to some pass pro at a big man camp:
As you can see, he can get leverage, has pretty good feet, and his huddle game film confirms that for me. His only offer is Illinois state, and I think that he’s an under the radar guy who can help us.
3. Luke Martin, Fishers, Guard, 6’4” 300
-This guy reminds me of Dan Feeney on tape. He’s got good mobility, he can pull, he has aggression. I liked that he fights to get reach blocks on outside stretch plays, and has the versatility to pull on power plays. He doesn’t just rely on pure strength, but actually has an understanding of the scheme on many of the plays. The combination of his size, aggression and IQ are what reminds me of a Feeney, and he’s another under the radar guy. He is another guy with good leverage and lower body explosiveness. At 6’4” he can play tackle in case of emergency, but I like him at guard at that size. He is committed to ball state as well, but has a Cincinnati offer. Here’s a link to his huddle tape: http://www.hudl.com/profile/3943232/luke-martin
In closing, I know that it is unpopular to recruit these caliber of players. One is a three star, and two are unranked. They’re also all in state kids. But the tape tells me another story than their rankings, and they bring a toughness and athletic ability that can help the team at its weakest position. We also can’t lose legitimate talent like Jaylen Turner to Ball State. That is embarrassing in recruiting. A long time ago it was unpopular when we took Justin Frye out of Elwood when he was only a two star and Ball State commit, but that turned out well. I think that the state gets a bad rap, and yes, Indiana might not be where you want to recruit skill position guys, but I think that there are some under the radar lineman in this state, with the size and ability to play in the Big Ten. These aren’t running backs, but big corn fed boys that you need in the Big Ten. When you combine that with their flexibility and solid pass blocking, I think that they can be diamonds in the rough that the staff should consider, and people will have to look past their ratings.
